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A Nanny Fairy Tale

Chapter 11: Countdown

Niles stayed there, laying down, trying to access his own situation.

There was not blood (a bad signal, normally indicating internal bleeding), and all he could see where the wound should be was a strange glowing from which the pain was being disseminated.

He was wounded, probably deadly wounded. And even more probably, by a horrible magical dagger of sorts...

by the hand of the woman he loved…

and she let him alone in the meadows, as if he meant nothing to her…

And what the hell did she mean by not giving up on her?! She was the one giving up on them because of that mission of hers! All he did was offering himself to follow her anywhere she went, the way she wanted, to do whatever she decided! What was so wrong about him wanting to be with her no matter what?!

All right. Calm down.

It was just daily business to try to be near her and be hurt for that, anyway, because he was always confused by his new ideas and expectations when she was concerned. His soul was already tormented, in a strange painful and glorious way, before this… incident.

Thus, that was not the point.

The pain – which seemed stronger when he felt like fighting it – had been making him miss the point.

Well, not anymore. He had his honor, after all, and a title to defend.

I am the Clever!, he told himself, teeth clenched. I must think. There must be something to be done. If there is something to be done, I'll find it.

And, to do it, he must get up, even if the strange shining on his side made him feel disturbed.

(Niles called his horse and started moving slowly, preparing himself to stand once the animal was close enough to serve as a hold.)

Back to the previous train of thought: the point was that this time she had chosen to hurt him herself, and physically.

Why?

To prevent me from being with her.

(Good. The horse is close enough. Time to stand up.)

But, was it really necessary to let him to die alone?!

And was it necessary to reinforce he should never give up on her? Wasn't he really in a bad situation because he didn't give up?

Deep breaths, again, Old Man. You are going well.

The pain was horrible, now, and his left side was quickly going to feel numb, so he had to act soon, if he wanted to make a point against her.

And, of course, he wanted.

Wait! Not against her… I want to make a point to her! To prove to her we belong together, no matter what…

(Fighting the pain and the growing confusion, Niles managed to mount the horse. His head was spinning... The more he thought of what to do, the more he felt physically bad – what made him even more obstinate. He made his horse turn to the Castle and gave the command to go ahead.)

With luck, he would be able at least to make the truth reach the King.

He just had to be alive when they found him.

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When Niles woke up, some time later, he soon knew he had not died.

It was not possible that a worrying Maxwell and an indignant Fran were the first thing he would find in the afterlife.

And, of course, that still present pain on his side, even if a bit less horrible, didn't match his idea of heaven.

'Thank God, old man! How do you feel?'

'Bad…', he said, sincerely. His side hurt and he still felt confused, after all.

And he knew he had something to tell them… something important… something that could not wait for… Oh, yes! That's it!

Niles sit up, eyes wide, his gestures frantic, 'The witch! I've found her! She wants to prevent the war! She…'

'… she is with us but wanted to do things alone', Fran finished for him, taking his hands on hers and making him look at her. 'You were delirious, but I suppose you had the message well rehearsed, by the way you already said it over and over again since you've arrived'.

'And without stammering', the King added. Niles calmed down, and Maxwell seized the opportunity, 'By the way, congratulations for the vocabulary'.

'He was in pain, feverish and had a magical artifact put deep down on his side by the woman he loves. Give the guy a break!', Fran came to his defense.

Niles frowned - well, it seemed they knew everything. He made an effort to call their attention and spoke with a hoarse voice. 'What will we do?'

Maxwell was the first to answer. 'Fran made you wake up so we can discuss exactly that'.

She nodded, 'I knew there was something wrong, and was ready to use my herbs when you arrived'.

'She is counteracting the spell that was cast on you by the witch'.

Niles and Fran exchanged 'As if' glances, and the knight asked, 'How much time did the horse take to bring me here?'

'By what I could see in the magical wound, it was very quick', she answered.

He nodded, understanding. 'My life… you saved it?'

'No'.

'No?'

'No, because it was never in danger', her high-pitched joyful tone made both men flinch. 'You're suffering from a quick charm that causes pain and have made bigger guys retreat', Fran gave him a smile, 'I'm impressed'.

Niles smiled back and sit up, 'So, she never intended to…', and the pain flared to life again. 'Aaaargh!'

Fran put a hand on his back to support him. 'I know it hurts, sweetie. And all I can do for you is making you calm enough for you to breath better and have a clearer mind'.

'It's enough', he nodded, grimacing. 'Do it'.

'Uhmpf. I've already done that', her hands went to her hips. 'I hope you don't think some hurried plaster application was enough. I must renew it to have the effect back. And, since she is a powerful witch, you must be grateful I was able to counteract the amount I did'.

Oh. 'Thank you, Fran. Really', he waited for her to undo the annoyed face and included Maxwell in his next question, 'Do you think I have time to reach her before she meet the enemy?'

Maxwell was agitated. 'Maybe, but what will you do when you reach her?'

Fran added, 'She has told you very clearly how she feels about you around her while she is trying to schmooze people…', she noticed his glare, 'Well, it was you who said it… and you were crying, so we supposed it was serious…'

Niles raised his hand to stop her talking. 'I… cried?'

'You hugged us and wept like a child', Maxwell was smug, but the glare he received made him quickly change his tone. 'A love-struck blessed and honored child, I mean… Exactly what we all guessed you would be… I mean, you're a loyal man…'

'Boys', Fran interrupted the rambling, 'I thought we had no time to spend…'

Niles, nodded. 'We just have one chance to do it. Maxwell, you must come with me, bringing the White Card'.

'What?!', Maxwell answered in surprise, and Fran in confusion.

'We have to go and negotiate. Don't worry, I'm sure when we get there she will have prepared them to listen to us'.

'I can't do that, Niles! The White Card is almost sacred'.

'Exactly. And if you don't use it now, when will you use it?'

'Niles, pay attention: you are still feverish, and probably are not thinking well. This woman may have put such a charm on you that you are defending her ideas without thinking of it. How do I know it is not magic talking?'

'You have to believe me, King Maxwell… Try to understand that I'm telling you to do what I, a loyal and righteous knight, believe is the best for everybody. I am not thinking of my happiness, but the happiness of a lot of people that need your decision to have new opportunities in life'.

'The White Card is too much… Even if I agree that some things may be done… Fran explained to me that you were visiting people in the rural area because you wanted to help them… She is from a rural area, too… But the White Card… I don't think I should use it…'

'Yes, you should! It exists to give you the right to do what must be done!'

Fran interjected, 'You know, I always liked cards'.

Both men looked at her as if she had grown a second head. 'What?'

She pouted, 'Would someone care to explain me what this thing is? I keep imagining something that gives you power to buy anything and never pay… and that is white because you can write your debts in it', she frowned. 'It seems like a good idea – to buy now and pay later... When things calm down I will give it some attention', she looked at them again. 'Well, I'm waiting'.

Niles sighed and talked when Maxwell crossed his arms, unhappy. 'It is a sign of commitment that is in the Royal Family rights', he explained. 'It is a document that, when used, gives the King the right to change any tradition he wishes'.

Maxwell couldn't prevent himself from speaking. 'Last time I used it… You know what happened'.

'Yes, I do. You permitted a witch to enter the Royal Family. To be precise, you married her and had three beautiful, health and intelligent children. But why try again? Wouldn't it be horrible to have such happiness again? Men should never have any happiness, isn't? That's what our faith taught us… Why should we have the nerve to contradict something that guarantees our daily suffering?!'

'Niles, please! You know what meant to me when she died… You know I still hurt because I can't understand how she could be talking to me in a minute and suddenly faint and… never wake up again… I sent her family away because I couldn't stand their eyes on me…'

Niles regretted his words and put a hand on the King's shoulder. 'I'm sorry… I'm not thinking straight… I shouldn't have been so harsh on you… I know it still hurts…', talking about it made Niles feel his own physical pain in full force again, and he had to lay down. Maxwell helped him. 'It is a difficult decision for you… However, I tell you: sometimes, people must face changes, my Lord. An open door must bring a strong wind that will make a mess of everything, but it can bring the perfume of flowers, too… If you never open the door, you will never know…'

'And the mess can always be dealt with, when you have the right people around you', Fran added and put a hand over her mouth. She didn't regret her words, just didn't know if the King was ready to appreciate them.

Maxwell looked at them, and it was obvious they had made his resolution falter. He frowned in concentration, his eyes going from Niles to Fran, and back to him, and back to her… and then he reached a decision. 'You know what? You are right. I have the best people around me. It is time to take some risks'. He looked at Fran. 'Miss Fine, prepare the herbs to alleviate his pain, so he can travel more comfortably. Niles, I'll have the men prepare us horses. We are going there together, the three of us and a very small group of men. I'm talking the White Card, and I hope there will be no mess to clean, after'.

He received a tired but crooked smile back, 'That would be acceptable, Your Majesty'.

Maxwell rose. 'And stop the Majesty thing. You cried on my shoulder some moments ago'. With that, Maxwell was out of the room.

Fran smirked at that and the shocked look on Niles' face. 'Isn't he adorable even when he makes things just to pester you?'

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The witch can feel the energy coming to her in waves: it brought indignation, inconformity, fear and disillusion.

The smell of betrayal was there, too.

She had no doubt there were a lot of people in front of her, not very far. The armies she must reach were closer than ever.

She almost regretted the spell she casted on Niles. It was draining some of her forces, and she would need them to communicate with the people that she would soon meet.

But maintain him far from danger was priority. There were traitors in this group, she didn't know who they were, and she couldn't risk him being near them when she made them reveal themselves.

She was surprised by the strength these feelings were giving her; she always thought that being in love was a lie, something made up by weak people who needed excuses for not doing important things.

Now she knew that love makes you even stronger, when the right person is the object of your adoration. Niles was brave enough to risk his life for her; she was brave enough to not let him do it.

She just hoped she had made the right decision, because she really wanted to solve this situation and be back to enjoy again the sweet touch of her beautiful Ni…

'Oh', her thoughts were interrupted by the sudden vision of a crowd. 'Here we are'.